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Faculty development grants supporting departmental initiatives enable a department to work as a group to enhance course offerings, hone teaching methods, cultivate student learning, and, as appropriate, facilitate department members' research and creativity pursuits towards improving student learning. The departmental grant program, reflecting the emerging recognition that disciplines have some unique developmental needs, envisions a department reflecting upon its requirements and identifying ways to address those needs. For example, departments in the humanities might investigate ways in which students may effectively participate in faculty-student collaborative research. A departmental grant in this situation might enable the department to acquire materials on faculty-student collaboration, to invite a colleague from another institution to talk about collaborative projects, or to fund a departmental retreat in which faculty and students work together on a model for collaboration. In another example, a department might seek a departmental grant to examine the relationship between teaching methods and student learning in its particular discipline. Fourth, departments might arrange an intercollegiate seminar with colleagues at other institutions to discuss curriculum construction, undergraduate research, or other matters related to teaching and learning.

Procedures

Mini-grants to departments will assist in enhancing teaching. A limited number of mini-grants will be awarded according to the following procedures and criteria:

1. Applications by eligible departments for projects about teaching and learning can be submitted anytime. Funds for these grants are limited:
   • Department mini-grants will be awarded for up to $1,000
2. We welcome applications from all departments. Priority for mini-grants will be given to departments who have not been awarded mini-grant funding since the inception of the grant program in fall 2000. Faculty who have been awarded a mini-grant and who have not completed their final report are ineligible to receive further funding.

Note: As of June 1, 2009, all reimbursements for mileage are capped at a maximum of $350. Food costs, if applicable, will be reimbursed provided itemized and resonable receipts are submitted.

Grants will be directed to departments to improve teaching and student learning. The application must specifically address how you anticipate student learning will be affected. Specifically, each application must address the following questions:

1. What are the basic pedagogical ideas, problems, or questions you will examine during the grant period?
2. Please describe what course/s you will focus on during the mini-grant period.
3. What work will be accomplished during the grant period? Supply a brief plan of work
4. How will you measure the outcomes and impact on teaching and learning of your work during this grant period? Please be specific about methodology, assessment techniques, and evaluation of student learning.

Budget

1. Funds may be used to acquire materials and supplies, reimburse expenses of visiting speakers and colleagues, pay printing costs, and offset room and food expenses.
2. The funds cannot be used for stipends for Gustavus Adolphus College faculty or students.
3. Please complete the Budget Proposal Form (Excel).

Applications should be submitted as electronic attachments to Barbara Fister.